Disgaea 7 Complete Review

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I first discovered the Disgaea series on the PS Vita and PSP, and I’ve tried to play every game on a handheld console whenever possible. This led to fantastic experiences with titles like Disgaea 5 Complete on Switch and Disgaea 1 Complete on iOS, but also some less impressive ones, such as Disgaea 6 on Switch. Disgaea 7 felt like a step in the right direction, and I was pleased that the Switch version was much better than the release of Disgaea 6. Now, we have Disgaea 7 Complete. Disgaea 7 Complete was released in Japan last year for PS5, PS4, and Switch. However, the Western release is only available on the Nintendo Switch 2. Disgaea 7 Complete is essentially Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless, including all DLC and some additional content in one package.

I’ve experienced Disgaea 7 on several platforms, so this will focus on the technical differences between the consoles and PC, as well as what the Disgaea 7 Complete edition offers for new players. Like my other comparison articles, I’ll be detailing how Disgaea 7 Complete on Switch 2 stacks up against the original Nintendo Switch version, the Nintendo Switch version played on Switch 2 through backward compatibility, the PS5 and PS4 versions, and the PC version. I’ll also share my overall thoughts on the game’s release. When comparing these platforms, I’ll be looking at visuals, performance, and load times, all tested on various devices. If you’re interested in a review of Disgaea 7 itself, you can find our original review here.

If you already have Disgaea 7, Disgaea 7 Complete includes the original game, some (but not all) of the DLC, new features, and extra story and post-game content. In Japan, people who owned Disgaea 7 received the new features as a free update, and the additional content was available to purchase separately as DLC. However, the Western release of Disgaea 7 Complete for Switch 2 bundles everything together in this new version. It’s important to know that not *all* DLC is included; Disgaea 7 Complete has its own DLC menu, and you can check what’s available and included by visiting the Special Content (DLC) NPC in the game’s hub. Even though it’s a new release, Disgaea 7 Complete feels more like a bundle of the base game and DLC rather than a completely new, designed-from-scratch package.

Disgaea 7 Complete DLC






The season pass includes a lot of content: seven extra story arcs with unique characters, a bonus for completing Pleinair, costume sets, weapon sets, a beginner support pack (including HL, Mana, Healing Items, and a Boost Ticket), and a new post-game story called The Nethertime Support Force starring Asagi. What’s *not* included – and why the DLC is structured this way in Disgaea 7 Complete – are packs of consumable items. Like in the original game on consoles and Steam, these include packs of money, Mana, and Boost Tickets. While some might feel these are unnecessary purchases, it’s frustrating that even though this is a full-priced, new version of the game with no upgrade option from previous versions, Disgaea 7 Complete still offers these extra optional purchases.

Regarding the new features and downloadable content, Disgaea 7 Complete is undoubtedly the definitive version of Disgaea 7. It offers even more outrageous possibilities thanks to increased stat limits, with Hell Mode now accessible to more than just a handful of characters from the original game, and a substantial amount of extra post-game content. These additions are fantastic, making this package especially appealing to new players. However, even with the ability to transfer saves from the original Switch version, it isn’t worth buying again for those who already own the game. And for current owners, you’re likely curious about the visuals and performance of Disgaea 7 Complete on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Disgaea 7 Complete visuals vs D7 Switch, PS5, PS4, Steam, and more

While the initial Switch version of Disgaea 7 wasn’t stellar, it was a definite improvement over the troubled launch of Disgaea 6. When I played Disgaea 7 on consoles and PC last year, it ran wonderfully on the Steam Deck and PS5, but the Switch version suffered from noticeable cuts to both graphics and performance. Disgaea 7 on consoles-including the upcoming Switch 2 with Disgaea 7 Complete-features a choice between performance and graphics modes. These modes were particularly impactful on the original Switch. The PlayStation versions aim for 60fps in both modes, and the PS5 version consistently achieves this. However, I was a bit let down that Disgaea 7 doesn’t include a 120fps mode on PS5.

Playing Disgaea 7 on the original Switch was often choppy, no matter how you set the graphics. However, when running the Switch version (version 1) on the new Switch 2, it consistently reached 60fps. This made me consider what I’d want from a version built specifically for the Switch 2. Ideally, I’d hoped it would look as good as the PS5 version when docked and also include an option to play at 120fps. Unfortunately, Disgaea 7 Complete doesn’t quite reach the visual quality of the docked PS5 version, but it’s a significant improvement over the original Nintendo Switch. It doesn’t offer a 120fps mode either, sticking to a target of 60fps in both its graphics and performance settings. According to NIS America, when you switch between modes, the visual difference will be most noticeable in areas that demand the most from the hardware.

After thoroughly testing Disgaea 7 Complete on the Switch 2 in both handheld and docked modes, and then playing it on other consoles and PC handhelds, I’m really pleased with how it plays on the go. However, when played on a TV, it doesn’t quite live up to expectations. While Disgaea 7 Complete on Switch 2 is definitely a step up from the original game on Switch, I was hoping for better visual quality when docked. This release feels similar to Disgaea 5 Complete on the original Switch – fantastic for portable play, but the docked experience wasn’t as good as on the PS4.

For comparing the TV and docked experiences, I wanted to demonstrate the Disgaea 7 Complete graphics and performance whether played docked or on a TV, and how they stack up against the PS5, Switch, and PS4 versions. I used 4K capture to ensure no loss in image quality. For the portable comparison, I utilized the built-in capture features of both the Switch and Switch 2, as well as screenshots from the Steam version.

Disgaea 7 Complete Switch 2 load times compared to Disgaea 7

While checking how quickly the game loaded, I also wanted to see how the original release of Disgaea 7 would perform using backward compatibility. For my tests, I loaded the game’s title screen from the dashboard, an early save file in the hub world, and then started a battle. I used the same early-game save file on every platform. Here’s how the game was set up on each system: Disgaea 7 Complete was installed on the Switch 2’s internal storage, the original Disgaea 7 for Switch was on the Switch 2’s internal storage, Disgaea 7 was on the Switch OLED’s SD card, Disgaea 7 was on the Steam Deck’s internal storage, Disgaea 7 was on the ROG Ally’s internal storage, Disgaea 7 was on the PS5’s internal storage, and Disgaea 7 for PS4 was installed on an external hard drive connected to the PS5 (not the SSD). To speed things up, I quickly pressed the A/X/B buttons to skip logos and get into the game as fast as possible on all platforms.

Platform Dashboard to title Loading save Loading battle
Switch 2 native 19-20 4 2-3
Switch on Switch 2 20-22 3 3
Switch 22 5-6 5
PS5 17-18 2-2.5 3-3.5
PS4 BC 22-24 5-6 6
Steam Deck 19-21 2-3 2.5
ROG Ally 9 2.5 2.5

Note: All load times above are in seconds.

Once you’re actually playing, all versions of Disgaea 7 load pretty quickly. However, I was surprised to find that Disgaea 7 played through backward compatibility loaded faster than Disgaea 7 Complete on Switch 2 when loading save files. The ROG Ally performed the best overall. You shouldn’t experience significant loading problems during gameplay, except perhaps on the PS4 or the original Switch 1.

If Disgaea 7 Complete for the Switch 2 had offered an upgrade for those who already owned the game, it would have been a simple recommendation. I tested the save data transfer, and it works, but players who purchased the original game and all the downloadable content unfortunately have to buy this new version at full price to access the new features, content, and improved graphics. It’s a frustrating situation for dedicated fans.

I really liked Disgaea 7 when it first came out last year, but I’m frustrated by Disgaea 7 Complete. While it’s a fantastic value for people new to the series, it’s disappointing that owners of the original game in the West don’t have access to the free updates and DLC that were released in Japan. It’s a shame this re-release of a great Disgaea game has a few drawbacks right now.

7

Versions tested: Nintendo Switch 2

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2025-10-03 15:58